Access to Adoption Records - District of Columbia
Date: December 2019
Who May Access Information
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.
Access to Nonidentifying Information
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.
Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Ann. Code § 16-311
All records are sealed and may not be inspected, except upon order of the court, and then only if the welfare of the child is promoted.
Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Ann. Code § 16-314
The original birth certificate is a sealed record that cannot be opened without order of the court.
Where the Information Can Be Located
- Voluntary Foster Care Registry
- The agency involved in the adoption